Landscapes with Stars

Hey,

I am a paid events photographer usually so this is something I have always wanted to have a go at out of my own interest (and my general love of science being a Chemistry graduate).

I have seen and done bits of research around the topic of astro-photography but as the darker nights are rolling in and a new moon in 2 weeks, id like some hints and tips to generate landscapes with the wonderfully contrasted stars above (with maybe a hope of milky way in March when it is where I want it!).

Do you use the stacking software and it should "just work" or does having the landscape fore-ground confuse the hell out of it?

I am shooting with a 5D mk III, have a selection of lenses but my widest is either a 17-40mm F4 or preferably the 24mm f1.8 from sigma.

I understand you can get stars and just mask areas in photoshop to try bring them out more....but for a milky way shot id like to try the stacking method. Will I need a tracking type mount or something though?

Help! Ha!

Hello,

If you want long exposure sky then you need to track.

With an open lens, you may get the Milky Way in one, reasonably short exposure, eliminating the need to track. After that it's a matter of how pretty you want the milky Way to be.

I have shot 20s exposures at 10mm f/3.5 (also sigma) and the milky way was visible with reasonably round stars.

Johnny010 wrote in post #16382844
Hey,

I am a paid events photographer usually so this is something I have always wanted to have a go at out of my own interest (and my general love of science being a Chemistry graduate).

I have seen and done bits of research around the topic of astro-photography but as the darker nights are rolling in and a new moon in 2 weeks, id like some hints and tips to generate landscapes with the wonderfully contrasted stars above (with maybe a hope of milky way in March when it is where I want it!).

Do you use the stacking software and it should "just work" or does having the landscape fore-ground confuse the hell out of it?

I am shooting with a 5D mk III, have a selection of lenses but my widest is either a 17-40mm F4 or preferably the 24mm f1.8 from sigma.

I understand you can get stars and just mask areas in photoshop to try bring them out more....but for a milky way shot id like to try the stacking method. Will I need a tracking type mount or something though?

Help! Ha!

Stacking info --
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=766644

Check out more in the "DISCUSS" forum. This one is for posting pics.